Interfacing with software through display suspended for patient viewing

ABSTRACT

An electronic display arrangement for viewing of video by a person receiving a healthcare service in a resting position includes: an apparatus for receiving a patient in a resting position; an electronic display suspended above the apparatus and adjustably positionable for unobstructed viewing by the patient receiving a healthcare service from a healthcare service provider; a computer system including healthcare software having data pertaining to the healthcare service received by the patient, the computer system being disposed in electronic communication with the electronic display for presenting by the electronic display, in accordance with instructions of the healthcare software, video output from the computer system; and an electronic input member for use by the healthcare service provider for interfacing with the healthcare software of the computer system while the patient is receiving the healthcare service.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority under35 U.S.C. section 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser.No. 10/708,617, filed Mar. 15, 2004, which application is herebyincorporated by reference herein, and which application is anonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. section 119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.60/454,895, filed Mar. 14, 2003, which provisional patent application isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Modern healthcare providers are learning that true healthcare involvesmuch more than perfunctory attention to physical ailments. The best careembraces the full spectrum of needs of a patient. A patient that iscomfortable with attention and treatment is indeed likely to benefitfrom participation in preventive practices and regularly scheduledappointments for care. Indeed, preventive medicine is thought to be akey to the future in lowering healthcare costs and in improving qualityof life.

A distraction from what may otherwise be an uncomfortable or awkwardprocedure can help a patient relax and can thereby reduce both physicaland mental stress and increase the tolerance of the patient during alengthy procedure. If improvements to the full experience of the patientcan be achieved, then the patient is more likely to pursue elective careservices. This may be of particular importance in, for example, the oralcare industry where dentists have suffered since the conception of theircraft against a reputation for providing needed but often uncomfortableservices to patients.

Even routine healthcare services such as oral hygiene procedures canprovide a less than optimal patient experience. Patients are typicallyat least bored while receiving such care. The overall experience of thepatient could be substantially improved by some convenient arrangementfor entertainment.

In addressing the need for patient distractions, many dentists nowincorporate into the provision of healthcare the presentation of audioand/or video content to patients while the patients are receivinghealthcare services. In this regard, computer monitors and televisions,headphones, and even virtual reality goggles are provided in order toprovide patient distraction from dental procedures. The monitors andtelevisions are incorporated into the dental treatment rooms bypositioning them into or on top of cabinets in the treatment rooms, ormounting them on arms attached to dental chairs. The view of thesemonitors and televisions provided to the patient, however, is less thanoptimal, as many dental procedures require the patient to be fullyreclined in the dental chair. Headphones also inhibit effectivecommunication between the patient and provider of the healthcare serviceduring the procedure. Virtual reality goggles may be similarlyobstructive and are not comfortable to some patients who experienceclaustrophobia.

Accordingly, a need continues to exist for improvements in the provisionof healthcare and, especially, dental healthcare. This, and other needs,are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of the provision of healthcare, and especially dentalhealthcare, the present invention is not limited to use only in theprovision of healthcare, as will become apparent from the followingsummaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and preferredembodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to anelectronic display assembly for viewing by a person in a “restingposition.” An exemplary such assembly includes an arm that is rotatableabout a swivel axis, an arm that is pivotable about a pivot axis and iscoupled to the rotatable arm, and an electronic display that is coupledto the pivotable arm and that is “adjustably positionable” about theswivel axis and about the pivot axis. As used herein, the phrase“resting position” pertains to a seated, reclined, lying, or in some waysupported physical situation of a person. Similarly, the phrase“adjustably positionable” pertains to the ability to be positioned invarious places through translational movement, through rotationalmovement, or a combination of both.

Another aspect of the invention relating to an electronic displayassembly for viewing by a person in a resting position includes acarriage movable along a translation axis, a swivel arm coupled to thecarriage and rotatable about a swivel axis, a pivot arm coupled to theswivel arm and pivotable about a pivot axis, and an electronic displaycoupled to the pivot arm. The display of this aspect is adjustablypositionable along the translation axis, about the swivel axis, andabout the pivot axis. Furthermore, through a range of adjustablepositioning of the display, the swivel axis remains orthogonal to thetranslation axis, and the pivot axis remains non-orthogonal to thetranslation axis.

An aspect of the present invention relating to a variably adjustableelectronic display assembly for viewing by a person in a restingposition includes a carriage movable along a translation axis, a swivelarm coupled to the carriage, a pivot arm coupled to the swivel arm, andan electronic display coupled to the pivot arm. In this aspect, theswivel arm is rotatable about a first swivel axis so that the swivelarm, the pivot arm, and the electronic display, together, are adjustablypositionable about the first swivel axis. Furthermore, in this aspect ofthe invention, the swivel arm is rotatable about a second swivel axis,so that the pivot arm and the electronic display, together, areadjustably positionable about the second swivel axis independent of theadjustable positioning of the swivel arm. Also in this aspect, the pivotarm is pivotable about a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis sothat the pivot arm and the electronic display, together, are adjustablypositionable about the first pivot axis and second pivot axisindependent of the adjustable positioning of the swivel arm. Still yetin this aspect, the electronic display is pivotable about a third pivotaxis so that the display is adjustably positionable about the thirdpivot axis independent of the adjustable positionings of the pivot arm.The display is also rotatable about a third swivel axis to be adjustablypositionable about the third swivel axis independent of the adjustablepositionings of the pivot arm.

Another aspect of the present invention relating to an electronicdisplay assembly for viewing by a person in a resting position includesan electronic display supported by a pivot arm that is coupled to acarriage. The carriage is movable along a translation axis and the armis pivotable about a pivot axis. The display is adjustably positionablealong the translation axis and about the pivot axis through a range ofpositioning wherein the pivot axis remains non-orthogonal to thetranslation axis. In a feature of this aspect of the invention, theelectronic display is suspended below the carriage and the carriage iscoupled to a track for movement along the translation axis. Optionally,the track is mounted to a ceiling or wall. In other features of thisaspect, a subassembly couples the electronic display to the pivot arm.In one embodiment the subassembly is a display bracket, and in the sameor another embodiment the subassembly includes a swivel member throughwhich a swivel axis passes, a display mounting member, and an elongatemember that extends between the swivel member and the mounting memberand that is rotatable about the swivel axis. Furthermore, the elongatemember is pivotably mounted to the swivel member for pivoting movementabout a second pivot axis, and is pivotably mounted to the mountingmember for pivoting movement about a third pivot axis. In additionalfeatures, the pivot arm is pivotable about another pivot axis thatpasses through an end of the pivot arm that is disposed adjacent to theelectronic display, and the pivot arm is constructed as afour-bar-linkage parallelogram.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to an electronicdisplay assembly for viewing by a person in a resting position andincludes a carriage movable along a translation axis, a swivel armcoupled to the carriage, a swivel arm rotatable about a swivel axis, andan electronic display that is coupled to the swivel arm and that isadjustably positionable both along the translation axis and about theswivel axis. In this aspect the swivel axis remains orthogonal to thetranslation axis throughout adjustable positioning of the electronicdisplay. In a feature of this aspect, the electronic display issuspended below the carriage.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic displayand lighting arrangement for viewing by, and illumination for, a personin a resting position. In this arrangement an electronic display may beadjustably positioned so that viewing is unobstructed by a lightproviding illumination. The electronic display assembly of this aspectincludes a first carriage movable along a translation axis, a firstpivot arm that is coupled to the first carriage and that is pivotableabout a first pivot axis, and an electronic display coupled to the firstpivot arm. The electronic display is adjustably positionable along thetranslation axis by movement of the first carriage, and about the firstpivot axis by movement of the first pivot arm about the first pivotaxis. The lighting assembly of this aspect includes a second carriagemovable in a direction parallel to the translation axis, and a lightcoupled to the second carriage and adjustably positionable by movementof the second carriage. In one embodiment of this aspect, the firstcarriage and second carriage are coupled to the same track and are bothmovable along the translation axis. In this aspect, the track is mountedto a ceiling and the electronic display and light are suspended,respectively, from their own separate carriages.

Another aspect of the present invention that relates to an electronicdisplay and lighting arrangement for viewing by, and illumination for, aperson in a resting position includes a carriage movable along atranslation axis, a pivot arm coupled to the carriage and pivotableabout a pivot axis, an electronic display coupled to the pivot arm, anda light mounted to the electronic display. The electronic display isadjustably positionable both along the translation axis by movement ofthe carriage, and about the pivot axis by movement of the pivot arm.Illumination by the light may be provided for the person in the restingposition and the electronic display may be adjustably positioned forviewing by the person unobstructed by the light.

Yet another aspect of the invention relating to an electronic displayand lighting assembly for viewing by, and illumination for a person in aresting position, includes a carriage movable along a translation axis,a vertical support member coupled to the carriage, an electronicdisplay, and a light. The electronic display is coupled to the verticalsupport member by a first swivel arm and is adjustably positionable bothalong the translation axis by movement of the carriage, and about avertical axis of the support member by rotational movement of the swivelarm about the vertical axis. The light is coupled to the verticalsupport member by a second swivel arm and is adjustably positionableboth along the translation axis by movement of the carriage, and aboutthe vertical axis by rotational movement of the second swivel arm aboutthe vertical axis. Illumination by the light may be provided for theperson in the resting position and the electronic display may beadjustably positioned for viewing by the person unobstructed by thelight.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic displayassembly for viewing by a person in a resting position. The assemblyincludes a pivot arm pivotable about a pivot axis, an electronic displaycoupled to the pivot arm to be adjustably positionable about the pivotaxis, and a counterweight coupled to the pivot arm opposing the displayabout the pivot point. In features of this aspect, the counterweight hasa greater mass than that of the electronic display, the counterweight islocated closer to the pivot point than the electronic display, and thecounterweight has a moment about the pivot point that is within an orderof magnitude of a moment of the display about the pivot point.

Another aspect of the invention, relating to an electronic displayassembly for viewing by a person in a resting position, includes anapparatus for receiving a person in a resting position, a support, andan electronic display coupled to the support such that the display isadjustably positionable above the apparatus along each of threeorthogonal axes for convenient viewing by a person in a resting positionreceived in the apparatus. In a feature of this aspect, the electronicdisplay assembly is adjustably positionable along a first of the threeorthogonal axes independent of adjustable positioning along the othertwo. In another feature, the electronic display is adjustablypositionable along each of the three orthogonal axes independently. Inother words, the display is adjustably positionable along any particularone of the axes independently of its positioning along the other two.

Yet another aspect of the invention relating to an electronic displayassembly for viewing by a person in a resting position includes anapparatus for receiving a person in a resting position, a supportincluding a carriage suspended above and movable over the apparatusalong a translation axis, and an electronic display coupled to thesupport. The display is adjustably positionable both in a firstdirection parallel to the translation axis, and in a second directionorthogonal to the first direction. In a feature of this aspect, theelectronic display is adjustably positionable in the first directionindependent of its adjustable positioning along the second direction.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an electronic displayassembly for viewing by a person in a resting position and includes acarriage movable along a translation axis, a pivot arm coupled to thecarriage, a pivot arm pivotable about a pivot axis, and a subassemblycoupled to the pivot arm. The subassembly includes an electronicdisplay, for presenting video, and an electronic input member. Thedisplay is adjustably positionable along the translation axis bymovement of the carriage, and about the pivot axis by movement of thepivot arm about the pivot axis. In a feature of this aspect, the inputmember may be, for example, a touchscreen or an antenna for receivingwireless transmissions. The input member also may be, for example, anelectronic communications port. In this regard, exemplary ports include,but are not limited to, a USB port, a firewire port, a serial port, aparallel port, and a PS/2 port. Alternatively, the input member may be,for example, a data acquisition device that, preferably, is mounted tothe subassembly. Exemplary devices include, but are not limited to, asensor, a camera, and a microphone. In another feature of this aspect, acomputer is disposed in electronic communication with the electronicinput member for receiving data from the electronic input member. In onesuch embodiment, the computer manages presentation of video on theelectronic display, and data received from the electronic input memberrepresents instructions to the computer for managing the presentation ofthe video on the electronic display. Additionally, in features of thisaspect, the subassembly includes the computer and the computer iscoupled to the pivot arm. In other features, the computer is stationaryand does not move with movement of the carriage, the pivot arm, or thesubassembly. In additional features of this aspect, the electronic inputmember comprises, for example, a conducting contact, anelectromechanical switch, a mouse, a handheld device, a joystick, akeyboard, a keypad, a touchscreen, and/or a wireless communicationsdevice. The control by the patient includes, for example, the selecting,by the patient, for presentation on the electronic display, of a movie,a television station, a cable station, a satellite station, a musicvideo, an educational video, and/or a cartoon. In other features, thecontent presented by the electronic display comprises video output froma computer. In such cases, the control by the patient includes, forexample, navigating the Internet, reading email, and/or composing email.

Another aspect of the present invention also relates to an electronicdisplay assembly for viewing by a person in a resting position. Inaccordance with this aspect, the assembly includes an apparatus forreceiving a person in a resting position, an overhead support, anelectronic display coupled to the support such that the electronicdisplay is adjustably positionable above the apparatus whereby theelectronic display may be conveniently viewed by a person in a restingposition received in the apparatus, a send unit operative for sendingsignals conveying visual content for presentation by the electronicdisplay, and a receive unit operative for receiving the signals sent bythe send unit and disposed in electronic communication with theelectronic display for presenting the visual content of the signalsreceived by the receive unit. In features of this aspect, the receiveunit is coupled to the overhead support and the send unit is not coupledto the overhead support. In other features, the receive unit is coupledto the electronic display for concurrent movement therewith and thereceive unit is coupled to the overhead support in fixed location. Inadditional features, the send unit may be disposed in electroniccommunication with the receive unit by a cable for carrying signals fromthe send unit to the receive unit, or the send unit may include atransmitter for broadcasting a wireless signal to the receive unit. Forexample, the send unit may comprise a radio frequency (RF) transmitterfor sending a wireless signal to the receive unit. In other features,the send unit is further operative for sending additional signalsconveying auditory content, and the assembly further includes an audiounit for receiving the additional signals and for producing sound toconvey the auditory content. In still other features, the assemblyfurther includes a speaker system for receiving additional signals fromthe send unit and producing sound represented by the additional signals.The assembly also further may include a headphone set for receivingadditional signals from the send unit and producing sound represented bythe additional signals to convey auditory content in conjunction withpresented visual content. The send unit also may include a plurality ofinputs for receiving signals conveying visual content, such inputsincluding, for instance, an S video input, a cable input, a USB input,and/or an RCA input. In other features of this aspect, the assemblyfurther includes an electronic input member for receiving input from aperson regarding controlling presentation of visual content by theelectronic display, with the electronic input member being disposed inelectronic communication with the receive unit. In this case, thereceive unit may be operative, in response to input received by theelectronic input member, for sending signals to the send unit forcontrolling presentation of visual content by the electronic display,whereby the send unit is operative for receiving the signals controllingpresentation of visual content from the receive unit.

In an aspect of the present invention that does relate specifically toproviding healthcare service to a patient, a method includes the stepsof providing an apparatus for receiving a patient in a resting position,suspending an electronic display above the provided apparatus with thepatient received therein in a resting position, and adjustablypositioning the display to be conveniently viewed by the patient whilereceiving healthcare service. The step of adjustably positioning thedisplay includes independently moving the display along three axes thatare mutually orthogonal.

In another such aspect of the present invention, a method for providinghealthcare service to a patient includes the steps of providing anapparatus for receiving a patient in a resting position, suspending anelectronic display above the provided apparatus with the patientreceived therein in a resting position, adjustably positioning thesuspended electronic display whereby the electronic display may beconveniently viewed by the patient in the resting position in theapparatus while receiving healthcare service, and providing anelectronic input member for use by the patient in controlling videopresented by the electronic display. Furthermore, the step of adjustablypositioning the display includes moving, in combination, the display ina first direction parallel to the translation axis, and in a seconddirection orthogonal to the first direction.

In yet another such aspect, a method for providing healthcare service toeach of a plurality of patients includes the steps of, for each patient,providing an apparatus for receiving the patient in a resting position,suspending an electronic display above the provided apparatus with thepatient received therein in a resting position, adjustably positioningthe suspended electronic display whereby the electronic display may beconveniently viewed by the patient in the resting position in theapparatus while receiving healthcare service, providing an electronicinput member for use by the patient or a healthcare provider incontrolling video presented by the electronic display, receivingelectronic input regarding video presented by the electronic display,and delivering video in accordance with the received electronic inputfor presenting by the electronic display. The step of delivering videomay be performed contemporaneously for each of the plurality ofpatients. Furthermore, in a feature of this aspect, the delivered videofor each patient preferably includes media content that is selected bythe patient from a plurality of available video content selections. Theavailable video content selections may be stored at a centraldistribution system. In features of this aspect, the healthcare careservice is provided to each of the plurality of patients at the samehealthcare facility, and the central distribution system is located onpremises at the healthcare facility. Alternatively, the healthcareservice is provided to each of the plurality of patients at a differenthealthcare facility, and the central distribution system is locatedeither on premises at one of the healthcare facilities or remote to eachof the different healthcare facilities. In either of these two cases,the step of delivering video may include, for one or more patients,communicating over the Internet. Moreover, the central distributionsystem itself preferably includes at least one data storage device fordigitally storing the available video content selections, which devicemay include, for example, a computer readable medium containing thevideo content selections, computer memory, and/or one or more opticaldiscs. In other various features of this aspect, the delivered videocomprises a movie, television programming, cable programming, satelliteprogramming, a music video, an educational video, a cartoon, and/or evena live video feed from a camera such as, for example, a camera coupledto the suspended electronic display for recording of the provision ofhealthcare service. In still other features, the delivered video alsomay comprise, for instance, output from a computer, wherein the outputmay comprises video representing an Internet webpage, video displayingan Internet webpage, and/or video displaying email. The delivered videoalso may include audio.

In yet other variations of this aspect of the present invention, simplyaudio content rather than video content may likewise be stored anddelivered. Of course, in these variations, an electronic display may ormay not be provided so long as a speaker component is provided forpresenting the audio content.

Another such aspect of the present invention relating specifically toproviding healthcare service to each of a plurality of patients includesa system having, for each patient, an apparatus for receiving thepatient in a resting position, an electronic display suspended above theapparatus and adjustably positionable for convenient viewing by thepatient in the resting position in the apparatus while receivinghealthcare service, and an electronic input member for use by thepatient or a healthcare provider in controlling video presented by theelectronic display. The system further includes, for all patients, acentral distribution system for receiving for each patient electronicinput regarding video presented by the respective electronic displayviewed by each patient, and for delivering video in accordance with thereceived electronic input for presenting by the respective electronicdisplay viewed by each patient. In features of this aspect of thepresent invention, the central distribution system includes a pluralityof available video content selections from which each patient may choosefor presenting by the respective electronic display viewed by thepatient. Furthermore, the healthcare service is provided to each of theplurality of patients at the same healthcare facility, and the centraldistribution system is located on premises at the healthcare facility.Alternatively, the healthcare service is provided to each of theplurality of patients at a different healthcare facility, and thecentral distribution system is located on premises at one of thehealthcare facilities or remote to each of the different healthcarefacilities. In these cases, the central distribution system preferablycommunicates over the Internet with at least one of the healthcarefacilities. In additional features of this aspect, the centraldistribution system is maintained by the entity responsible forproviding the healthcare service or, alternatively, by a third-partyresponsible for delivering the video in accordance with the presentinvention. If provided by a third-party, then the delivery of the videomay be provided for a fee under a subscription contract or on demand ona pay-per-view basis. In still other features, the central distributionsystem includes at least one data storage device for digitally storingavailable video content selections, such device including, for example,a computer readable medium containing the video content selections,computer memory, and/or one or more optical discs. The delivered videomay include, for example, a movie, television programming, cableprogramming, satellite programming, advertisements, a music video, aneducational video, a cartoon, and/or audio. If advertisements arepresented, then the advertisements may pertain to the healthcare serviceprovided.

In yet other variations of this aspect of the present invention, simplyaudio content rather than video content may likewise be stored anddelivered. Of course, in these variations, an electronic display may ormay not be provided so long as a speaker component is provided forpresenting the audio content.

Another such aspect of the present invention relates to an electronicdisplay arrangement for viewing of video by a person receiving ahealthcare service in a resting position. The arrangement of this aspectincludes an apparatus for receiving a patient in a resting position, anelectronic display suspended above the apparatus and adjustablypositionable for unobstructed viewing by the patient receiving ahealthcare service from a healthcare service provider, a computer systemincluding healthcare software having data pertaining to the healthcareservice received by the patient, with the computer system being disposedin electronic communication with the electronic display for presenting,by the electronic display in accordance with instructions of thehealthcare software, video output from the computer system, and acomputer input member for use by the healthcare service provider forinterfacing with the healthcare software of the computer system whilethe patient is receiving the healthcare service. In features of thisaspect, the computer input member communicates with the computer systemthrough the electronic display suspended above the apparatus, and thecomputer input member comprises, for instance, a touchscreen of theelectronic display. Alternatively, the computer input member comprises,for example, a keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, or an electromechanicalswitch. In other features of this aspect, the healthcare servicereceived by the patient comprises dental care, the video outputrepresents a healthcare record of the patient, and/or the video outputrepresents information regarding the healthcare service being receivedby the patient such as, for example, a procedure to be performed uponthe patient.

Another method of providing a healthcare service to a patient in aresting position, in accordance with another aspect of the presentinvention, includes the steps of providing an apparatus for receiving apatient in a resting position, suspending an electronic display abovethe apparatus and adjustably positioning the electronic display forunobstructed viewing by the patient receiving a healthcare service, andusing a computer input member to interface with a computer systemincluding healthcare software having data pertaining to the healthcareservice received by the patient, with the computer system being disposedin electronic communication with the suspended electronic display.Furthermore, the step of using the computer interface includescontrolling the presentation, by the electronic display in accordancewith instructions of the healthcare software, of video output from thecomputer system while the patient is receiving the healthcare service.

In yet another aspect of the present invention pertaining to providinghealthcare, a method of interfacing with a computer system havinghealthcare software having data pertaining to a healthcare servicereceived by a patient includes the steps of suspending an electronicdisplay above an apparatus for receiving the patient in a restingposition, adjustably positioning the electronic display for unobstructedviewing by the patient receiving therein the healthcare service, andcommunicating with the computer system through a computer input memberthat communicates with the computer system through the electronicdisplay suspended above the apparatus. In features of this aspect, thestep of communicating with the computer system includes controllingpresentation by the suspended electronic display of video output fromthe computer system while the patient is receiving the healthcareservice, with the computer system being disposed in electroniccommunication with the suspended electronic display for presentingvideo. In this regard, the video output preferably is generated by thecomputer system in accordance with instructions of the healthcaresoftware.

An aspect of the present invention pertaining to providing healthcareincludes an electronic display arrangement for viewing of video, whereinthe person viewing the video is a patient receiving a healthcare servicein a resting position or is a healthcare provider providing suchhealthcare service. The arrangement of this aspect of the presentinvention includes an apparatus for receiving a patient in a restingposition, and an electronic display suspended above the apparatus andadjustably positionable for unobstructed viewing by the person.Furthermore, the electronic display includes a display screen and aprotective member covering the display screen. In the feature of thisaspect, the display screen comprises a touchscreen that, for example, isan infrared touchscreen or that utilizes projected capacitivetechnology. The protective member preferably is transparent and isremovably attached to the electronic display, whereby the protectivemember may be replaced from time-to-time, as needed. For example, theprotective member may be removably attached to the electronic display bya plurality of screws. In still other features, the protective memberitself preferably comprises a polycarbonate material sold by GeneralElectric under the trademark “LEXAN”; however, the protective membergenerally may comprise, for instance, a plastic material, athermoplastic material, and/or a chemical-resistant material, and theprotective member may include, for instance, scratch resistantcharacteristics, antistatic characteristics, antiglare characteristics,and impact resistant characteristics. The protective member alsopreferably is waterproof and impenetrable to pathogens. Moreover, theprotective member preferably is screen printed with a black color on aninside surface thereof to present a solid black appearance to a viewerwhen the underlying display screen is not illuminated. In still otherfeatures of this aspect, a polarizing filter and/or a Bernoulli lens isdisposed between the display screen and the protective member to improvevisibility of the image presented to the patient.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an electronic displayarrangement for viewing of video by a person, who is a patient receivinga healthcare service in a resting position or who is a healthcareprovider providing such healthcare service, includes an apparatus forreceiving a patient in a resting position, and an electronic displaysuspended above the apparatus and adjustably positionable forunobstructed viewing by the person, wherein the electronic displayincludes a touchscreen and a protective shield overlying thetouchscreen.

A method, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention relatingto providing a healthcare service to a patient in a resting position,includes the steps of providing an apparatus for receiving a patient ina resting position, suspending an electronic display above the apparatusand adjustably positioning the electronic display for unobstructedviewing by a person who is a patient receiving a healthcare service in aresting position or who is a healthcare provider providing suchhealthcare service, and protecting the electronic display suspendedabove the provided apparatus by securing a protective shield over theelectronic display. In features of this aspect, the method furtherincludes such steps as interfacing with a computer system incommunication with the electronic display by utilizing a touchscreen ofthe electronic display disposed beneath the protective shield,sterilizing the protective shield with a disinfectant, and detaching theprotective shield from the electronic display and attaching a newprotective shield to the electronic display The protective shield itselfpreferably is transparent and is made, for example, from a polycarbonatematerial.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, an audiocommunication system for use between a patient receiving a healthcareservice and a healthcare provider includes a speaker component forproviding auditory content to the patient while receiving the healthcareservice, an audio component in communication with the speaker componentfor providing the auditory content to the speaker component, and aninput controller accessible to the healthcare provider for controllingthe provision of the auditory content to the patient. In a feature ofthis aspect, the audio communication system includes a microphonecomponent by which the healthcare provider speaks to the patient throughthe speaker component. The microphone component may communicate directlywith the audio component for conveying the voice of the healthcareprovider to the patient or directly with the speaker component forconveying the voice of the healthcare provider to the patient. In otherfeatures, the input controller comprises a foot actuated switch orpedal, and the input controller is disposed in communication with eitherthe speaker component or the audio component for varying the volume of,or muting, the auditory content provided to the patient while receivingthe healthcare service. In still other features, the input controller isdisposed in communication with the audio component for selectingauditory content to be provided to the patient. The audio communicationsystem also preferably includes a second input controller disposed incommunication with the audio component for controlling, by the patient,the provision of the auditory content. The speaker component maycomprises, for example, headphones or earphones for wearing by thepatient. The speaker component alternatively may comprise, for example,a speaker coupled to, or embedded in, the apparatus. If embedded in theapparatus, the speaker preferably is embedded in a headrest of theapparatus in order to be in close proximity to a patient's head. Instill other features, the audio component communicates wirelessly withthe speaker component, in which case the speaker component preferablyincludes a wireless signal receiver for receiving signals conveying theauditory content. In this regard, the wireless signal receiver mayinclude a radio-frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) signal receiver.Additionally, the audio communications system preferably furtherincludes a storage component wherein a plurality of auditory contentselections are stored, with the storage component being disposed incommunication with the audio component for providing, by the audiocomponent, any one of the auditory content selections to the speakercomponent. The storage component may include, for example, a digitaljukebox and/or a DVD jukebox. The storage component also may be acomputer readable medium and the audio component may be a computer.

An audiovisual system for use in providing a healthcare service to apatient by a healthcare provider includes, in accordance with anotheraspect of the present invention, a speaker component for providingauditory content to the patient while receiving the healthcare service,an electronic display for providing visual content to the patient whilereceiving the healthcare service, an audiovisual component incommunication with the electronic display for providing the visualcontent to the electronic display and in communication with the speakercomponent for providing the auditory content to the speaker component inconjunction with the visual content, and an input controller accessibleto the healthcare provider for the controlling of the provision of theauditory content to the patient. In features of this aspect, theaudiovisual system further includes a microphone component by which thehealthcare provider speaks to the patient through the speaker component,and the speaker component is coupled to the electronic display.

In certain features of embodiments of these aspects, the electronicdisplay is suspended above an apparatus for receiving a person. In thisregard, the apparatus may be a medical support apparatus, such as adental chair or an operating table, or the apparatus may be a bed,chair, or recliner such as is found in a home.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it will be noted that the present invention further includesall combinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, any ofthe broad aspects of the present invention may be utilized in providinghealthcare service to one or more patients, including dental healthcare.Similarly, any of the assemblies and arrangements of the aspects of thepresent invention may be utilized in presenting video to one or morepatients. Such additional aspects and features will be apparent fromdetailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention,as now described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present invention, in conjunction with preferredembodiments and a commercial product, will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elementsare referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein,

FIG. 1 is an elevational plan view of a preferred embodiment of anelectronic display assembly in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan schematic view of the electronic display assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of a preferred embodiment of anelectronic display assembly in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is another perspective elevational view of a preferred embodimentof an electronic display assembly in accordance with one or more aspectsof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of components of preferred embodiments of anelectronic display assembly in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of delivering videoto electronic displays in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of another preferred embodiment of deliveringvideo to electronic displays in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective elevational view of a preferred embodiment of anelectronic display and lighting arrangement in accordance with one ormore aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is another perspective elevational view of a preferred embodimentof an electronic display and lighting arrangement in accordance with oneor more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is yet another perspective side view of another preferredembodiment of an electronic display and lighting arrangement inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a perspective elevational view of a preferred embodiment ofan electronic display in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11B is an exploded view of the electronic display of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 is a perspective elevational view of a current commercialproduct utilized in a method and system embodying one or more aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 13 is an elevational side view of a preferred embodiment of anelectronic display having an electronic input member mounted thereon inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevational side view of another preferred embodiment ofan electronic display incorporating an electronic input member thereinin accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is an elevational perspective view of another preferredembodiment of an electronic display incorporating a speaker componenttherein in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by those personsskilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broadutility and application in view of the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments. Furthermore, many embodiments as well asadaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements,will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the preferredembodiments described herein without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, while the present invention is describedherein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary and ismade merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure ofthe present invention. The disclosure herein is not intended, nor is tobe construed, to limit the scope of the present invention, which isdefined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of an electronic displayassembly of the present invention is illustrated from a elevational sideview, and further is illustrated from a plan view in FIG. 2. Thispreferred embodiment includes a pivot arm 10, a swivel arm 12, and anelectronic display 14. The pivot arm 10 is coupled at a distal end 16thereof to a distal end 18 of the swivel arm 12. The coupling isaccomplished by a swivel 20 such that the pivot arm 10 can be variablyswiveled about a swivel axis 22 passing through the swivel 20.Similarly, the other distal end 24 of the pivot arm 10 is coupled to theelectronic display 14.

In this regard, a subassembly 26 couples the pivot arm 10 to theelectronic display 14, and includes a swivel 28 through which a swivelaxis 30 passes, a mounting member 32, and an elongate member 34extending between and connecting together the swivel 28 and the mountingmember 32. The elongate member 34 is pivotably mounted to the swivelmember 28 for pivoting movement about pivot axis 36. The elongate member34 also is pivotably mounted to the mounting member 32 for pivotingmovement about pivot axis 38. The elongate member 34 is rotatable aboutthe swivel axis 30 and includes two elongate side bars 40. The couplingof the elongate member 34 to the swivel 28 includes a post that extendsdownwardly from the swivel 28, to which both elongate bars 40 aredirectly secured by a first clamp bolt assembly and nut. Similarly, bothelongate bars 40 are directly secured to a post portion 42 of the of themounting member 32 by a second clamp bolt assembly and nut. The mountingmember 32 is removably attached via screws 44 directly to the electronicdisplay 14 in fixed relation thereto.

The pivot arm comprises a pair of parallel elongate members 40 joined toform a four-bar-linkage parallelogram, and the pivot arm 10 is pivotableabout a pivot axis 46 and another pivot axis 48. The pivot axis 46passes through the distal end 16 of the pivot arm 10, and the pivot axis48 passes through the distal end 24 of the pivot arm 10. As will beappreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the design of thepivot arm 10 is such that raising or lowering of the electronic display14 by pivoting movement of the pivot arm 10 about both pivot axes 46,48permits the swivel axes 22,30 to remain in parallel relation.

The swivel arm 12 preferably is mounted to a ceiling of a room but,alternatively, may be mounted to a wall or other support. This mountingmay be accomplished by coupling the distal end 18 of the swivel arm 12to a carriage 50. This coupling is accomplished by a swivel 52 such thatthe swivel arm 12 can be variably swiveled about a swivel axis 54passing through the swivel 52, and a vertical member 56 that extendsbetween and connects this swivel 52 to the carriage 50. The verticalmember 56 is of sufficient mechanical strength to physically withstandthe tensile, shear, and torsional forces of supporting the electronicdisplay 14 and its coupling to the vertical member 56 in theirsuspension below the carriage 50. The swivel arm 12, in turn, includessufficient mechanical strength to physically withstand the tensile,shear, and torsional forces of supporting the electronic display 14 andits coupling to the swivel arm 12 in their suspension below the carriage50.

Each of the aforementioned swivels may include any suitable constructionand arrangement of bearings, races, cones, axles, or bushings to allowrotation.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 50 itself is secured to aceiling-mounted track 56 such that the carriage 50 can be variablypositioned along the overhead track 56 that extends generally parallelto the ceiling and that defines a translational axis. Translationalmovement of the carriage 50 along the overhead track 56 results insimple translational movement of, inter alia, the electronic display 14.The carriage 50 may be movably mounted to the track 56 by way ofbearings, rollers, glide bushings, collars and shafts, or any suitablemechanical coupling allowing the carriage 50 to be variably positionedalong the track 56.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, and as shown inFIG. 2, the swivel arm 12 is rotatable about the swivel axis 54, wherebythe swivel arm 12, the pivot arm 10, and the electronic display 14,together, are adjustably positionable about the swivel axis 54. Inaddition thereto, the swivel arm 12 is rotatable about swivel axis 22,whereby the pivot arm 10 and the electronic display, together, areadjustably positionable about the swivel axis 22 independent of theadjustable positioning of the swivel arm 12. The pivot arm 10 also ispivotable about the pivot axis 46 and the pivot axis 48, whereby thepivot arm 10 and the electronic display 14, together, are adjustablypositionable about the pivot axis 46 and pivot axis 48 independent ofthe adjustable positioning of the swivel arm 12.

Yet still, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic display 14 is pivotableabout the pivot axis 36, whereby the electronic display 14 is adjustablypositionable about the pivot axis 36 independent of the adjustablepositionings of the pivot arm 10. The electronic display further ispivotable about pivot axis 38, whereby the electronic display is furtheradjustably pivotable about the pivot axis 38 independent of theadjustable positioning of the pivot arm 10. The electronic display 14also is rotatable about the swivel axis 30, whereby the electronicdisplay 14 is adjustably positionable about the swivel axis 30independent of the adjustable positionings of the pivot arm 10.

Notable characteristics of the illustrated embodiment in, for example,FIG. 2 include the fact that the swivel axes 54, 22, and 30 remainparallel to each other, and remain orthogonal to the translation axis58, throughout all of the aforementioned adjustable positionings.Similarly, each of the pivot axes 46 and 48 and pivot axes 36 and 38(FIG. 1) remain orthogonal to each of the swivel axes 54, 22, and 30throughout all of the adjustable positionings. In addition thereto, itwill further be noted that all of the pivot axes 46, 48, 36, and 68remain non-orthogonal to the translation axis 58 through a range ofadjustable positionings of the electronic display 14 and/or pivot arm10. In a preferred method, the electronic display assembly is utilizedto present audiovisual content to a person in a resting position.Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of an electronic display assembly isillustrated in FIG. 3 and includes the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1combined with an apparatus 60 for receiving a person in a restingposition. The apparatus broadly comprises, for example, a chair,recliner or bed and, in the field of providing a healthcare service, theapparatus preferably comprises a dental chair or operating table forsupporting a patient receiving healthcare.

As will become apparent from review of FIG. 3, the electronic display 14is suspended above, i.e., over, the apparatus 60 for convenient andunobstructed viewing by the person. Moreover, it thus will thus beappreciated that the electronic display 14 is coupled to a support suchthat the electronic display is adjustably positionable above theapparatus along each of three orthogonal axes, and such that theelectronic display is adjustably positionable along each of these threeaxes independent of adjustable positioning of the electronic displayalong the other axes, thereby insuring a convenient and unobstructedview thereof by the person. Furthermore, in embodiments wherein thetrack is mounted to a wall or other support other than a ceiling, theelectronic display 14 nevertheless preferably is still suspended abovethe apparatus 60 as shown in FIG. 3.

Aspects of the present invention include the presentation of audioand/or visual content to the person received in the apparatus 60. Asused herein, such content is intended to be of broad meaning. Visualcontent may include graphical images of any level of detail. Thegraphical images can appear fixed in time on the display or can bemoving or animated. The graphical images can be of live or recordedreal, imaginary, or virtual world scenes such as that found inentertainment programs and informative news programs. The graphicalimages can include a view of a healthcare procedure in real time, canpresent expected results of a procedure, or can display or alternatebetween views before and after completion of a procedure or proceduralstep. Visual content also may include visual sensory stimulations asused in seeing ability tests, optometric evaluations, healthcarepractices related to the eyes, psychological studies, or brain functionmapping techniques. Visual content may also include navigable menus andfolders such as implemented in conventional graphical user interfaces ofcomputing systems. Internet browsing can be available with the use ofthe electronic display. Word processing, accounting softwareapplications, and practice management proprietary or commercial softwareapplications can be utilized by a patient or healthcare provider usingthe electronic display. The visual content may also represent thefunctionally operative portions of a touchscreen.

Accordingly, FIG. 3 further serves to illustrate a preferred embodimentfor the wireless presentation of such content to the person whilereceived in the apparatus 60. In particular, a send unit 62 is operativefor wirelessly sending signals conveying content to be presented to theperson received in the apparatus 60. The send unit may comprise, forexample, a transmitter for broadcasting a wireless signal 64 to thereceive unit. The transmitter can be any suitable transmitter such as awireless router or RF transmitter, or an IR transmitter.

A receive unit comprising an antenna assembly 66 is disposed on theelectronic display 14 and is operative to receive the signals forpresenting of the visual content via the electronic display 14. Areceive unit comprising wireless headphones 68 having antenna 70 also isworn by the person and is operative to receive the signals forpresenting of the audio content via a speaker component of theheadphones 68. The audio content presented by the headphones 68 may beindependent of the visual content presented by the electronic display14, or the audio content presented by the headphones 68 may accompanyand be synchronized with the visual content presented by the electronicdisplay 14, as desired. In variations of such embodiments, theelectronic display 14 may include speakers and the antenna assembly 66may receive signals for both audio content and visual content. In suchvariations, the electronic display 14 may include a speaker componentfor presenting the audio content to the person, or the electronicdisplay 14 may include an output port such as a headphone jack forfurther communicating signals representing the audio content. In othervariations, a speaker component may be embedded in the headrest 72 ofthe apparatus 60 for presenting of the audio content. A preferredembodiment of an electronic display 69 incorporating a speaker componentcomprising speakers 71 therein is illustrated in FIG. 15. Moreover, thispreferred embodiment further includes handles 73 disposed on oppositesides of the electronic display 69 in order to facilitate the adjustablepositioning by the viewer.

The send unit 62 is shown in FIG. 2 as being attached to a wall;however, the send unit 62 may be disposed anywhere so long as thereceive units 66,68 are within its transmission range. Alternativelocations include being secured to the support to which the track 50 ismounted.

The send unit further may be disposed in electronic communication withsaid receive unit by a cable or wire connection of any suitable type forcarrying signals from the send unit to the receive unit. In embodimentsof the system that include such a connection, the connection ispreferably constructed, arranged, and routed to connect the send andreceive units through a pathway internal to the overhead structure thatsupports the receive unit. Such an arrangement and routing provides foraesthetic elegance in the environment of the system and, particularly ina healthcare environment, avoids cluttering of a patient care area. Thiswell complements a variable support assembly by allowing freedom ofmovement of a display without dangling wires congesting the immediatearea of a healthcare provider and patient. This variation is illustratedin FIG. 4, where cable 74 is shown extending between, and connecting inelectronic communication, both the send unit 76 with a receive unit inthe form of an input jack (not shown) of the electronic display 14, andthe send unit 74 with a receive unit in the form of an amplifierembedded in the apparatus 60 and having input and output jacks 78. Withadditional regard to this variation, the cable leading to the electronicdisplay 14 preferably is disposed internal to at least the swivels 54,20, and 28, whereby the cable does not inhibit the range of motion thatthe electronic display 14 otherwise enjoys.

With regard to another variation of the invention, the range of rotationof each swivel is limited, for example limited to less than fullrotation, in order to avoid twisting of a cable internal thereto. Such avariation comprises a bearing projecting from a detent under the forceof a spring to lock and arrest rotation at an extreme of an allowedrange.

The send unit 76 includes multiple inputs and is capable of receivingcontent from a range of disparate or related sources and sending signalsfor the various content to the receive unit in a unitary fashion. Therange of sources, within the scope of the invention here described,includes without limitation, any electronic accessory or interface thatproduces or relays signals that convey visual and/or audio content,including, but is not limited to: a video cassette recorder (VCR) orplayer; a digital video disk (DVD) recorder or player; a computer; acomputerized network, router, or interface; a television signal receiveror tuner; a cable signal receiver or tuner; a satellite signal receiveror tuner; a video camera; and digital X ray equipment. Thus, somemultiple inputs of the sent unit 76 may include, for example, an S-videoinput, a cable input, a USB input, and an RCA input. The exemplaryembodiment 80 of the send unit illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a patchpanel with ports for VGA fifteen-pin, RCA (left audio, right audio, andvideo), S-video, USB, and commercial cable inputs. These are exemplary,and other types of input ports are within the scope of the invention.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, either theelectronic display 14 or the subassembly 26 connecting the electronicdisplay 14 to the pivot arm 10 includes an electronic input member foracquiring or receiving data. In this respect, the electronic inputmember may include in preferred embodiments of the present invention,for example: a touchscreen of the electronic display for receivingelectronic input by a person” s touch; an antenna disposed on theelectronic display for receiving wireless data transmissions; anelectronic communications port included in the electronic display forreceiving data such as, for example, a USB port, a firewire port, aserial port, a parallel port, or a PS/2 port; and a data acquisitiondevice mounted to the electronic display or subassembly, the dataacquisition device including, for example, a sensor, a camera, or amicrophone. Exemplary embodiments of electronic displays includingelectronic input members are illustrated in FIGS. 13-14.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an electronic inputmember also may be included that is physically independent from theelectronic display and subassembly. In this respect, the electronicinput member may be detachably mounted to a support accessible to theperson viewing the electronic display. The electronic input member mayinclude in preferred embodiments of the present invention, for example:a conducting contact; an electromechanical switch; a mouse; a handhelddevice; a joystick; a keyboard; a keypad; and a wireless device such asa remote control.

In certain preferred embodiments that include an electronic input memberfor receiving or acquiring data, a computer or other electroniccircuitry preferably is provided in electronic communication with theelectronic input member for processing data received or acquired fromthe electronic input member. In such embodiments, the computer may storeand analyze the data from the electronic input member. Results of theanalysis then may be presented via the electronic display. If theelectronic input member is a camera, video acquired by the camera may becaptured and then displayed on the electronic display. In other suchembodiments, the computer may simply manage presentation of video on theelectronic display, and the data from the electronic input member mayrepresents instructions for managing the presentation of the video onthe electronic display. The computer further may be coupled to thecarriage for movement therewith, and may even be disposed within ahousing of the electronic display. Alternatively, the computer may beremotely located to the electronic display and, thus, stationary withrespect to movement of the carriage.

With reference again to FIG. 5, an electronic input member comprising awireless remote control 82 is shown. The remote control 82 preferablycommunicates wirelessly with the send unit 80 (i.e., the computer orother electronic circuitry in this illustration), for controlling thepresentation of the audio and/or video content. Control of the contentmay include, for example, selecting for presentation a movie, atelevision station a cable station, a music video, an educational video,a cartoon. Such control may further include, for example, navigating theInternet, including reading email and composing email, especially wherethe electronic input member includes an arrangement of alphanumerickeys. In this case, a keyed input device may be provided. In any event,the person viewing the electronic display (and/or a healthcare providerin the context of providing healthcare to a patient viewing theelectronic display) preferably has some control over the contentpresented by the electronic display.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the electronic input member forreceiving input regarding controlling presentation of the contentpresented by the electronic display communicates directly with a receiveunit which, in turn, is operative, in response to the input received bythe electronic input member, to send signals to the send unit forcontrolling presentation of visual content by the electronic display. Inthis regard, the send unit then is operative for receiving the signalsfor controlling presentation of visual content from the receive unit andresponding accordingly. This reverse communications system is usefulwhen the send unit is disposed remote from, and possibly out of rangeto, the electronic input member.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, particular contentto be presented by the electronic display is actually selected by use ofan electronic input member and then delivered to the electronic displayin response to such selection. Furthermore, the content preferably isselected by each patient from a plurality of available selections anddelivered on demand at the time of the selection. This is particularlyuseful in a healthcare environment, wherein a plurality of patients maybe provided from a central distribution source with particular contentupon demand.

The contemporaneous delivery of content is schematically illustrated inFIG. 6, wherein the audio and/or video content is centrally stored at 84and then delivered to each of displays 86,88,90. The centraldistribution system preferably includes at least one data storage devicefor digitally storing the available content selections. The data storagedevice may include, for example, a computer readable medium, computermemory, or one or more optical discs. Each of the displays represents anelectronic display assembly in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the content is centrally stored on premises of thehealthcare facility having the multiple electronic displays 86,88,90.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the content is centrally stored at acentral distribution system 92 located off premises with respect to themultiple healthcare facilities 94,96, each of which utilizes theelectronic display assemblies 98 of the present invention in providinghealthcare service. Communications of content from the centraldistribution system to each healthcare facility may occur via theInternet. Moreover, the content may be communicated in a digital formatas a real time signal or data flow, or as a video file or a video fileportion such as, for example, a program clock reference (PCR) stampedmoving picture experts group (MPEG) file.

In accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention relatingto the central distribution system, a third-party party preferably isresponsible for providing content to each of the healthcare facilitiesfor presentation on the electronic display assemblies of the presentinvention. Moreover, this third-party preferably is not in the businessof providing healthcare services but, instead, is a service provider tothe healthcare facilities. As such, the content preferably is providedby the third-party under a subscription contract or on a pay-per-viewbasis.

In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, and againwith particular reference to the provision of healthcare service, anaudio or audiovisual communications system preferably is provided foruse between a patient receiving a healthcare service and a healthcareprovider. The audio communications system includes a speaker componentfor providing auditory content to the patient while receiving thehealthcare service, an audio component in communication with the speakercomponent for providing the auditory content to the speaker component,and an input controller accessible to the healthcare provider forcontrolling the provision of the auditory content to the patient.

The speaker component may comprises, for example, headphones orearphones for wearing by the patient. The speaker componentalternatively may comprise, for example, a speaker coupled to, orembedded in, the apparatus. If embedded in the apparatus, the speakerpreferably is embedded in a headrest of the apparatus in order to be inclose proximity to a patient's head. The audio component preferablycommunicates wirelessly with the speaker component, in which case thespeaker component preferably includes a wireless signal receiver forreceiving signals conveying the auditory content. In this regard, thewireless signal receiver may include a radio-frequency (RF) or infrared(IR) signal receiver.

Conveniently, the input controller comprises a foot actuated switch orpedal, whereby the healthcare provider may varying the volume of, oraltogether mute, the auditory content provided to the patient whilereceiving the healthcare service in order that the patient will hear thehealthcare provider speaking. In this respect, the input controlleressentially comprises a volume control device. Alternatively, amicrophone component may be provided by which the healthcare providerspeaks to the patient through the speaker component. In doing so, themicrophone component preferably communicates directly with the audiocomponent for conveying the voice of the healthcare provider to thepatient, or the microphone component communicates directly with thespeaker component for conveying the voice of the healthcare provider tothe patient. Furthermore, the auditory content otherwise being providedto the patient preferably is lowered, or altogether muted, when themicrophone is activated for recording the voice of the healthcareprovider. In this context, the microphone preferably is activated usingan input controller of the healthcare provider which, again, preferablycomprises a foot actuated switch or pedal. Furthermore in this context,the input controller is seen as being, again, a volume control device.

The input controller of the healthcare provider may include the abilityto select and manage the content provided to the patient. Alternatively,or in addition thereto, the patient preferably is provided an inputcontroller for controlling, by the patient, the provision of theauditory content. This may further include the ability to select theaudio or audiovisual content to be presented on the electronic display,in which case the input controller also comprises an aforementionedelectronic input member.

Similar to the aforementioned central distribution system of FIGS. 6 and7, in preferred embodiments the audio communications system includes astorage component wherein a plurality of auditory content selections arestored. Furthermore, the storage component is disposed in electroniccommunication with the audio component for providing, by the audiocomponent, any one of the auditory content selections to the speakercomponent. The storage component may include, for example, a digitaljukebox and/or a DVD jukebox. The storage component also may be acomputer readable medium, in which case the audio component preferablycomprises a computer. Moreover, the storage component may be stored onpremises or off premises, either by the healthcare facility entity or athird-party, similar to the aforementioned video delivery systemdiscussed above in connection with FIG. 6-7. In any event, in suchpreferred arrangements, the patient using the input controller may (1)conveniently select that auditory content desired while receivinghealthcare, and (2) conveniently adjust the volume of the auditorycontent provided.

Use of the electronic display assembly of FIGS. 1-4 in a healthcareenvironment is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this regard, the healthcarebeing provided to the patient comprises dental healthcare. To aid thehealthcare provider in the dental healthcare service, a lightingassembly 100 is provided for illumination of the patient. In particular,as seen in FIG. 8, an electronic display and lighting arrangementincludes the electronic display assembly of FIGS. 1-4 as well as anothercarriage 102 coupled to the track having a light 103 coupled to thesecond carriage 102. This second carriage can be variably positionedalong the track separately from the first carriage of the electronicdisplay assembly. A support assembly couples the light to the secondcarriage and travels with the second carriage along the track. Thissupport assemble includes three support arms. A first support arm 104 isattached to and extends vertically downward from the second carriage. Asecond support arm 106 is pivotably connected to the first support armand extends generally horizontally therefrom. A third support arm 108 ispivotably connected to and extends generally vertically downward fromthe second support arm 106. A support bracket 110 is connected to theend of the third support arm at a bend 112 therein by a swivel 114, andthe light is pivotably connected between and to opposed ends of thebracket. As a result of the support assembly, the light enjoys: verticalpositioning based on the pivotable connection of the first support arm104 to the second support arm 106, and the pivotable connection of thesecond support arm 106 to the third support arm 108; and rotation andpivoting on the end of the third support arm 108 for directionalplacement of a beam of light. The light also enjoys translationalmovement along the track independent of the positioning of theelectronic display assembly 116.

A similar electronic display and lighting arrangement is illustrated inFIG. 9. This arrangement generally includes the combination of anelectronic display assembly 118 of the present invention and a lightingassembly 122 supported by a single carriage 120. In this regard, theelectronic display and light share a common two-stage vertical supportmember 124 that extends downwardly from the carriage. The lightingassembly 122 is coupled to the upper stage of the common verticalsupport member 124 by a swivel 126, and the electronic display 118 iscoupled to the lower stage 128 of the common vertical support member 124by another swivel 130. Independence of these couplings permits the lightto be rotated about the common vertical support member independent ofrotation of the electronic display about the common vertical supportmember.

FIG. 10 illustrates another preferred embodiment in accordance with anaspect of the present invention. In this regard, an electronic displayassembly 132 includes a counterweight 134 coupled to a pivot arm 136such that the counterweight 134 opposes the electronic display about thepivot point 138. Preferably, the counterweight 134 has a mass greaterthan that of the electronic display and is located closer to the pivotpoint 138 than the electronic display, whereby the counterweight has amoment M1 about the pivot point that is within at least an order ofmagnitude of a moment M2 of the electronic display about the pivotpoint. As will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art,the counterweight 134 reduces the effort required for adjustablypositioning the electronic display. The counterbalance features may beutilized with any electronic display irrespective of the field of use ofthe electronic display. Accordingly, an electronic display assemblyincluding the counterbalance feature may be utilized, for example, inhome entertainment or healthcare services.

When an electronic display assembly is utilized in conjunction withproviding healthcare service, a computer system preferably is providedthat includes healthcare software having data pertaining to thehealthcare service received by a patient. Furthermore, the computersystem preferably is disposed in electronic communication with theelectronic display for presenting, by the electronic display, inaccordance with the healthcare software, video output from the computersystem. The video presented by the electronic display as output by thecomputer preferably includes information regarding the healthcare beingprovided, a healthcare record of the patient, and/or informationregarding a healthcare service received by the patient. Additionallyprovided is an electronic input member for use by the healthcare serviceprovider for interfacing with the healthcare software of the computersystem. The electronic input member may communicate with said computersystem through the electronic display suspended of the presentinvention. In this context, the electronic input member preferablycomprises a touchscreen of the electronic display. Alternatively, theelectronic input member comprises a keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, or anelectromechanical switch.

Moreover, when an electronic display assembly is utilized in conjunctionwith providing healthcare service, then, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present invention, the electronic display preferably includes adisplay screen and a protective shield that covers and protects thedisplay screen. The display screen preferably comprises a touchscreen,and the touchscreen may be an infrared touchscreen or a touchscreen thatutilizes projected capacitive technology. The protective shieldpreferably is transparent and is removably attached to the electronicdisplay, whereby the protective shield may be removed and replaced fromtime-to-time.

An illustration of the protective shield 140 covering the display screen142 is shown in FIG. 11A. An exploded view thereof is shown in FIG. 11B.As shown, screws 144 removably secure the protective shield 140 to ahousing 146 of the electronic display in covering relation to thedisplay screen 142. The protective shied preferably is formed from apolycarbonate material sold by General Electric Corporation under themark LEXAN; however, the protective shield may also be formed from aplastic or thermoplastic material. In any event, the material formingthe protective shield preferably is a chemical-resistant material thatincludes scratch resistant, antistatic, and antiglare characteristics.The protective shield also preferably is impact resistant andwaterproof. The protective shield further preferably is impenetrable topathogens and capable of being sterilized with a disinfectant for use inthe healthcare environment.

For aesthetic purposes, the protective shield preferably is screenprinted on an inside surface thereof, whereby a solid black appearanceis presented to a viewer when the underlying display screen is notilluminated. A polarizing filter and/or a Bernoulli lens also preferablyis disposed between the display screen and the protective shield forenhancing the image of the display.

A basic commercial product in the healthcare market utilized in a systemthat embodies at least one aspect of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 12. This product comprises an overhead track 148, acarriage 150 coupled to the track 148, and a support assembly 152 towhich is coupled a display 154 and a light assembly 156. The carriage150 is variably positionable along the track 148, and the productincludes a generally vertical elongate member 158 connected to andextending below the carriage 150. The display 154 is coupled to theelongate member 158 for pivoting movement about a horizontal axis forselective orientation of the display 154. The light is coupled to alower end of the elongate member 158 and comprises an opposing pair oflight units 160. Each light unit 160 is connected to a respectiveextension 162 depending from the elongate member 158, and each lightunit 160 can be variably orientated for direction of its light beam. Insimilar manner to the electronic display and lighting arrangement ofFIG. 9, the carriage 150 in operation carries the display 154 and thelight units 160 along the track 148 for variable positioning to allowselective placement of the display 154 and the light units 160 above apatient.

The present invention has been described in relation to particularembodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which the present invention pertains withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope. Furthermore, any sequence(s) and/ortemporal order of steps of various processes described and claimedherein are those considered to be the best mode contemplated forcarrying out the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that,although steps of various processes may be shown and described as beingin a preferred sequence or temporal order, the steps of any suchprocesses are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent a specific indication of such to achieve aparticular intended result. Indeed, the steps in such processesgenerally may be carried out in various different sequences and orderswhile still falling within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims rather than the foregoing description.

1. An electronic display arrangement for viewing of video by a personreceiving a healthcare service in a resting position, comprising, (a) anapparatus for receiving a patient in a resting position, (b) anelectronic display suspended above said apparatus and adjustablypositionable for unobstructed viewing by the patient receiving ahealthcare service from a healthcare service provider, (c) a computersystem including healthcare software having data pertaining to thehealthcare service received by the patient, said computer system beingdisposed in electronic communication with said electronic display forpresenting by said electronic display, in accordance with instructionsof said healthcare software, video output from said computer system, and(d) an electronic input member for use by the healthcare serviceprovider for interfacing with said healthcare software of said computersystem while the patient is receiving the healthcare service.
 2. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein said electronic input membercommunicates with said computer system through said electronic displaysuspended above said apparatus.
 3. The arrangement of claim 2, whereinsaid electronic input member comprises a touchscreen of said electronicdisplay.
 4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said electronic inputmember comprises a touchscreen of said electronic display.
 5. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein said electronic input member comprises akeypad, a keyboard, a mouse, or an electromechanical switch.
 6. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the healthcare service received by thepatient comprises dental care.
 7. The arrangement of claim 1, whereinthe video output represents a healthcare record of the patient.
 8. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the video output represents informationregarding the healthcare service being received by the patient.
 9. Thearrangement of claim 8, wherein the information pertains to a procedureto be performed upon the patient.
 10. A method of providing a healthcareservice to a patient in a resting position, comprising the steps of, (a)providing an apparatus for receiving a patient in a resting position,(b) suspending an electronic display above said apparatus and adjustablypositioning the electronic display for unobstructed viewing by thepatient receiving a healthcare service, and (c) using a electronic inputmember to interface with a computer system including healthcare softwarehaving data pertaining to the healthcare service received by thepatient, the computer system being disposed in electronic communicationwith said suspended electronic display, said step of using the computerinterface including controlling the presentation by said electronicdisplay, in accordance with instructions of said healthcare software,video output from the computer system while the patient is receiving thehealthcare service.
 11. A method of interfacing with a computer systemincluding healthcare software having data pertaining to a healthcareservice received by a patient, comprising the steps of, (a) suspendingan electronic display above an apparatus for receiving the patient in aresting position, (b) adjustably positioning the electronic display forunobstructed viewing by the patient receiving therein the healthcareservice, and (c) communicating with the computer system through aelectronic input member that communicates with said computer systemthrough said electronic display suspended above said apparatus.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein said step of communicating with the computersystem including controlling presentation by said suspended electronicdisplay, in accordance with instructions of the healthcare software,video output from the computer system while the patient is receiving thehealthcare service, the computer system being disposed in electroniccommunication with said suspended electronic display for presentingvideo.
 13. A system for providing healthcare service to each of aplurality of patients, comprising, (a) for each patient, (i) anapparatus for receiving the patient in a resting position, (ii) anelectronic display suspended above the apparatus and adjustablypositionable for convenient viewing by the patient in the restingposition in the apparatus while receiving healthcare service, and (iii)an electronic input member for use by the patient or a healthcareprovider in controlling video presented by the electronic display, and(b) a central distribution system for receiving for each patientelectronic input regarding video presented by the respective electronicdisplay viewed by each patient, and for delivering video in accordancewith the received electronic input for presenting by the respectiveelectronic display viewed by each patient.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein said central distribution system includes a plurality ofavailable video content selections from which each patient may choosefor presenting by the respective electronic display viewed by thepatient.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the healthcare service isprovided to each of the plurality of patients at the same healthcarefacility, and wherein the central distribution system is located onpremises at the healthcare facility.
 16. The system of claim 13, whereinthe healthcare service is provided to each of the plurality of patientsat a different healthcare facility, and wherein the central distributionsystem is located on premises at one of the healthcare facilities. 17.The system of claim 16, wherein said central distribution systemcommunicates over the Internet with at least one of the healthcarefacilities.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the healthcare serviceis provided to each of the plurality of patients at a differenthealthcare facility, and wherein the central distribution system islocated remote to each of the different healthcare facilities.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein said central distribution systemcommunicates over the Internet with at least one of the healthcarefacilities.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the central distributionsystem comprises at least one data storage device for digitally storingavailable video content selections.
 21. The system of claim 20, whereinthe at least one data storage device comprises a computer readablemedium containing the video content selections.
 22. The system of claim20, wherein the at least one data storage device comprises computermemory.
 23. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one datastorage device comprises one or more optical discs.
 24. The system ofclaim 13, wherein, for one of the plurality of patients, the deliveredvideo comprises a movie.
 25. The system of claim 13, wherein, for one ofthe plurality of patients, the delivered video comprises televisionprogramming.
 26. The system of claim 13, wherein, for one of theplurality of patients, the delivered video comprises cable programming.27. The system of claim 13, wherein, for one of the plurality ofpatients, the delivered video comprises a music video.
 28. The method ofclaim 13, wherein, for one of the plurality of patients, the deliveredvideo comprises an educational video.
 29. The system of claim 13,wherein, for one of the plurality of patients, the delivered videocomprises a cartoon.
 30. The system of claim 13, wherein, for one of theplurality of patients, the delivered video includes audio.